Calvert County, Maryland Department of Economic Development Receives Tourism Industry Awards at State Conference

PRINCE FREDERICK, Md., -- October 22, 2004 -- The Calvert County, Maryland Department of Economic Development (CCDED) is pleased to announce that it received top honors at the 24th Annual Governor’s Tourism Industry Conference in College Park this week.

The Cooperative Promotion Award for a One-Time Promotion was presented to CCDED for activities surrounding its celebration of the County’s 350th birthday. The Department was recognized for coordinating and hosting a variety of programs and events throughout the year, including a special website, time capsule, Maryland Public Television documentary, parade, festival and a special pageant.

The Best New or Improved Event was presented to the Chesapeake Chapter, U.S. Lighthouse Society for the 2004 Maryland Lighthouse Challenge. In addition to CCDED, the other local tourism agencies that helped to make the two-day event a success included the Greater Baltimore Area Convention and Visitors Association, Cecil County Tourism, Harford County Tourism Council, Prince George’s County Convention and Visitors Bureau, Talbot County Office of Tourism and the St. Mary’s County of Tourism. The Lighthouse Challenge stretched across seven counties and attracted nearly 3,500 visitors, who had to visit nine lighthouses along a designated route. At the completion of the route, participants received a special completion card.

Herman Schieke, tourism specialist for CCDED, accepted the awards on behalf of the County at a special awards banquet. “It is extremely rewarding to be recognized for our tourism efforts,” said Schieke. “I am especially pleased that the 350th Anniversary events were acknowledged because of the enormous success we’ve had with them – and the tremendous amount of effort that was given by so many people around the County in making these activities so successful.”

More than 300 professionals from around the State attended the conference, with the theme “The Tapestry of Maryland Tourism.” Mary Jo McCulloch, President of the Maryland Tourism Council said, “This Conference is an excellent example of the cooperation between the industry and the Maryland Office of Tourism, and it affords Maryland’s tourism professionals an opportunity to learn the latest techniques in tourism marketing.”

For more information on the Calvert County, Maryland Department of Economic Development, our visitor sites and attractions and the services available to assist County businesses, call 410.535.4583, 800.331.9771 or 301.855.1880; or send an e-mail to info@ecalvert.com